A plane had to make an emergency landing at Welshpool Airport last year when it lost power soon after take off.
The Air Accidents Investigation Board has published the results of a report on the forced landing incident involving the two-seater aircraft at Welshpool Airport on March 18, 2022.
Almost a year later, the organisation responsible for investigating civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK, has published a report on the landing, covering the sequence of events surrounding the landing, possible causes and comments on the pilot’s actions.
Immediately after take-off, just as the pilot was retracting the landing gear and flaps, the engine lost power, the report shows.
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The pilot then pushed the nose down and closed the throttle before landing on the remainder of the runway.
The propeller, nose cowl and right wingtip were damaged during the landing, as the partially retracted main wheel was pushed into its well.
The report says: “In many cases a partial power loss in General Aviation aircraft results in a forced landing and this often, but not always, leads to damage to the aircraft.
“Often when pilots are faced with a loss of power, the temptation is to carry on in the hope the engine recovers. On numerous occasions there is a decision to turn back after takeoff or to ‘nurse’ an aircraft with low or decreasing power back to the airfield.
“With an unpredictable engine at low power, this often leads to a loss of control in flight which results in a more serious or even fatal outcome.
“The pilot in this case took appropriate action to land the aircraft and not to turn back. In closing the throttle, he also removed the risk of the engine suddenly recovering and causing the aircraft to either unexpectedly climb or re-accelerate after touch down.”
An engineer examined the aircraft, a Europa XS, after the accident and found that an O-ring seal in the engine’s induction system appeared to have been displaced, which meant it could no longer provide an airtight seal.
This allowed air to be drawn into the induction system which affected the air to fuel ratio, causing the engine to cut out.
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